The New Teacher Toolbox: Proven Tips and Strategies for a Great First Year Book

Acknowledgments v

About the Author vi

Introduction: What New Teachers Really Want to Know 1

Part I The Room Environment and the First Weeks 5

1 Things to Do Before the School Year Begins 6

2 Arranging Your Classroom 15

3 Bulletin Boards 18

4 A Helpful Binder to Leave for Substitute Teachers 22

Part II The Curriculum and the Students 25

5 Fairness and Critical Thinking in Classroom Discussions 26

6 Teaching Five Hours of Material in Only Three Hours 32

7 Keeping Students Interested 37

8 Teaching Test-Taking Skills 42

9 The Internet as the Ultimate Teacher Resource Center 46

10 Discipline Issues 50

Part III Grading 56

11 Marking Papers and Promoting Self-Esteem 57

12 A Beginner's Guide to Figuring Grades 60

13 Rubrics 66

14 Grading for Classroom Participation 71

15 A Student Self-Esteem Check 74

Part IV Parents 79

16 Parent Involvement 80

17 Parent-Teacher Conferences 86

Part V Students Who Have Special Needs 90

18 Modifying the Classroom Curriculum for Students With Special Needs 91

19 Full-Inclusion Mainstreaming 95

20 Students With ADD/ADHD and Classroom Management 98

21 Preparing for a Special Education Class 102

Part VI How to Maintain Your Santiy 106

22 Making It Through Your Teacher Evaluation 107

23 Ten Ways to Avoid Stress 112

24 Putting It All Into Perspective 116

Further Reading 122

References 125

Index 126